Ace Hardware Corp. has appointed Tom Knox, 59, as president and CEO of Westlake Ace Hardware, according to a source associated with the company. Westlake is Ace’s largest cooperative comprising 85 stores, the source noted, and is headquartered in Lenexa, KS.

Knox will leave his present position as vp/retail business development, training and supply at Ace’s corporate offices and relocate to the Kansas City area in his new role.

Knox is a former multi-unit hardware store owner, the source related, adding that his long tenure in the hardware business should help the Ace retailers he works with build their sales and profits.

Headquartered in Oak Brook, IL, Ace and its subsidiaries currently operate 14 distribution centers across the United States. The company controls other distribution capabilities in Shanghai, China, Panama City, Panama, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ace and its associates operate stores in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and about 60 countries worldwide.

Digital Subscriptions

Editor-in Chief Peter Giannetti previews the 12th annual HomeWorld Players: People to Watch in Housewares; and a report on the impact of Aldi, Lidl and Amazon on the U.S. supermarket business. Play video